Pipe support

ABSTRACT

A pipe or like support is moulded as a unitary item having a region of concertinaing, serpentine, or otherwise longitudinally variable nature between end regions, for example having a longitudinally extensile linking region extending between at least a pair of the end regions the linking region can be of a concertina or serpentine type configuration. The end regions can both have passageways extending there through in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe or like member to be supported.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority as a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/381,149, filed on Aug. 26, 2014 andtitled A Pipe Support, which is a National Stage Application ofInternational Application No. PCT/NZ2013/000023, filed Feb. 27, 2013,which claims priority to New Zealand Application 598442, filed Feb. 27,2012, which are all incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clip, clamp or other support (“clip”)insertable for use with pipes in plumbing applications, but which canhave other uses such as with cables and in other electricalapplications.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Pipes used in plumbing applications come in a variety of types and havediffering wall thicknesses depending on the manufacturer, the pressurerating, the material used, the requirements of the particularapplication and/or the industry involved. Common types of pipes usedare, copper, polybutylene or polymers of butylene, pex pipe (white) suchas cross-linked polyethylene, PVC (poly vinyl chloride), multi-layercomposite aluminium, galvanised metals, stainless steels.

Pipe clips are manufactured for use on pipes of common sizes normallyreferred to by their approximate inside diameter. Because of thedifferent materials used, wall thicknesses and different pressureratings, the outside diameter of the pipes will vary depending on theproduct For example ½ inch pipe may have an outside diameter of 0.57inches (1.45 cm) to 0.85 inches (2.16 cm). Pipe clips are usually madefrom a semi flexible plastic or a metal, and such materials allow verylittle flexibility. Plastic clips often only have one fixing hole, andwhen fitted only come into contact with two thirds of the pipe. Seeexamples of FIGS. 1A to 1C.

A difficulty with such prior art clips is that the differing wallthickness of the different types of pipes requires the use of differentsized clips. Current clips will only accommodate a minimal differentialin outside diameter therefore manufacturers need to produce a range ofclip sizes (which are commonly colour coded so as to differentiate them)for each common pipe size e.g. half inch.

It is critical that the correct size clip for a specific outsidediameter of a pipe be used. If the correct clip is not used, does notfit correctly or does not apply enough pressure to the pipe to restrainits movement, this can lead to common problems with pipes such as “waterhammer” (banging noises), creeping sounds of the pipe, excessivemovement and pipe damage.

Also, if a clip is over flexed (stretched) it will not return to itsusual form and will not be able to be re-used.

The installer should always select and install the correct size clip tokeep the pipe in place. However, the installer will need to carry a widerange of clip sizes and types to ensure that the appropriate clip is onhand when needed. Aside from the variation in colour, it can bedifficult to distinguish (visually or otherwise) between similar clipsizes. The confusion this causes is time consuming and can result in thewrong sized clip being installed.

It is another problem with existing clips on the market that such clipsonly have one fixing direction (usually also only one hole, but may havetwo) which gives them only one or two method(s)/option(s) of attachmentto a support surface. This means that the usefulness of a particularclip, even if it is the right size for the pipe to be secured, dependson where it is to be mounted. The installer may, also or alternatively,need to use different or additional products to assist in mounting theclip, e.g. wedge products, and therefore will need to carry a furtherrange of products to this end.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such asupport (“clip”) which will ensure appropriate support yet confer aleeway on size matching between pipes and the clips; or at least toprovide the public with a useful choice.

It is a further or alternative object of the present invention toprovide a support (“clip” or range of “clips”) that will reduce thenumber of different sizes and/or types of clip that an installer wouldneed to carry in order to ensure that pipes ranging in diameter fromapproximately ¼ inch to 5 inch and made from different materials can besecured; or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

It is a further or alternative object of the present invention toprovide a support (“clip”) which can be attached or mounted to a supportsurface in a variety of orientations; or which will go at least some waytowards providing the public with a useful choice.

In this specification where reference has been made to patentspecifications, other external documents, or other sources ofinformation, this is generally for the purpose of providing a contextfor discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically statedotherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construedas an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, inany jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common generalknowledge in the art.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of exampleonly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention is a pipe or like support moulded as aunitary item having a region of concertinaing, serpentine or otherwiselongitudinally variable nature between end regions.

In a further aspect the invention is a pipe or like support moulded as aunitary item having a longitudinally extensile linking region extendingbetween at least a pair of end regions.

Preferably said linking region is of a concertina or serpentine typeconfiguration.

Preferably the linking region is of concertinaing, serpentine orotherwise longitudinally variable nature between end regions.

Preferably said end regions both have passageways extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe or likemember to be supported.

Preferably one of said passageways defines a channel of divergingcross-section.

Preferably one of said passageways defines a channel of circularcross-section.

Preferably said passageway of circular cross-section is threaded or ableto be thread engaging.

Preferably said pipe or like support has one or more fixing holes whichextend through either or both of the end regions in a direction parallelto the axis of the pipe or like member to be supported.

Preferably there is at least one of said fixing holes in each endregion.

Preferably at least one end region has two of said fixing holes.

Preferably said pipe or like support has substantially flat front andrear faces which are parallel to each other.

Preferably said pipe or like support is able to be fixed to a supportsurface in an orientation wherein its front and rear surfaces are in aplane parallel to that of the supporting surface and is also able to befixed to a support surface in an orientation wherein its front and rearsurfaces are in a plane perpendicular to that of the supporting surface.

Preferably said linking region is of a concertina or serpentine typeconfiguration.

Preferably, the linking region comprises one or more sections orsegments which are expandable or extensile. More preferably, saidsections or segments expand upon application of a force by a user.

Preferably, the linking region extends substantially the entirety of thelength between the end regions. Alternatively, the link region comprisesone or more sections or segments of the length between the end regions.

With respect to the above aspects, preferably the linking region is of aconcertina or serpentine type configuration.

With respect to the above aspects, preferably the one of said endregions is comprises a first end region and the other of said endregions comprises a second end region,

said first end region comprising a threaded or thread engageablepassageway,

said second end region comprising a passageway for the insertion of afastener that is to thread engage in the passageway of the first endregion, and

wherein said linking region is a flexible and extensile region linkingsaid first and second end regions,

wherein the flexible and extensile region enables the end regions to bebrought into mutual proximity for inter-engagement thus forming asubstantially circular inner support surface for support of a pipe orthe like, and variation in the diameter of the substantially circularinner support surface by way of extension and contraction in thecircumferential direction.

With respect to the above aspects, preferably one of said end regionscomprises a first end region and the other of said end regions comprisesa second end region,

said first end region comprising an upper face, a lower face, and apassageway extending through the region between said upper and lowerfaces, and

said second end region comprising an upper face, a lower face, and apassageway extending through the region between the upper and lowerfaces, and

said linking region is an arcuate linking region connecting the firstand second regions,

wherein said support has a closed condition wherein said first andsecond end regions are brought into mutual proximity so that the lowerface of the first end region and the upper face of the second end regionbutt against each other, and an open condition wherein said first andsecond end regions are a distance apart and wherein the lower face ofthe first end region and the upper face of the second end region are notin contact and are at an angle to each other,

and wherein the passageway extending through the first end region andthe passageway extending through the second end region share a commonaxis regardless of whether the support is in the closed or the opencondition.

With respect to the above aspects, preferably the support has an innersurface which surrounds a pipe or the like's girth or outer perimeter orcircumference.

With respect to the above aspects, preferably once in-situ the supportsurrounds the pipe or the like girth, and is able to be anchored, saidsupport being a moulded member defining

a cradle region for said girth or outer perimeter or circumference ofthe pipe or like to be supported, and

a co-acting region, said co-acting region for said girth, the co-actingregion being able to be brought to bear on the girth or outer perimeteror circumference with some conformation or conformation and extension ofits as-moulded form, and

at least one or more anchorable zones whereby the interrelationship ofthe cradle region and the co-acting region will be maintained.

With respect to the above aspects, preferably there is further provideda method of securing a pipe or the like to a support surface comprisingthe steps of

providing a pipe or the like support device having at least two endregions joined by a linking region, said linking region being of aprofile allowing for longitudinal extension in a concertina type fashionand being initially in a relaxed or contracted state,

positioning the pipe or the like to be secured so as to be partiallyencircled by the linking region,

bringing said at least two end regions into mutual proximity so as tocause the extension of the linking region around the outer diameter ofthe pipe,

applying a fastener such that said fastener is able to simultaneouslyretain the proximity of said end regions and thus the extension of thelinking region about the pipe, and affix the pipe or the like supportdevice to a support surface.

In a further aspect the invention is a pipe or like support comprisingor including:

a first end region having a threaded or thread engageable passageway;

a second end region having a passageway for the insertion of a fastenerthat is to thread engage in the passageway of the first end region; and

a flexible and extensile region linking the first and second endregions;

the arrangement being characterised in that the flexible and extensileregion enables

the end regions to be brought into mutual proximity for inter-engagementthus forming a substantially circular support surface; and

variation in the diameter of the substantially circular support surfaceby way of extension and contraction in the circumferential direction.

Preferably said end regions both have passageways extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe or likemember to be supported.

Preferably one of said passageways defines a channel of divergingcross-section.

Preferably one of said passageways defines a channel of circularcross-section.

Preferably said passageway of circular cross-section is threaded or ableto be thread engaging.

Preferably said pipe or like support has one or more fixing holes whichextend through either or both of the end regions in a direction parallelto the axis of the pipe or like member to be supported.

Preferably there is at least one of said fixing holes in each endregion.

Preferably at least one end region has two of said fixing holes.

Preferably said pipe or like support has substantially flat front andrear faces which are parallel to each other.

Preferably said pipe or like support is able to be fixed to a supportsurface in an orientation wherein its front and rear surfaces are in aplane parallel to that of the supporting surface and is also able to befixed to a support surface in an orientation wherein its front and rearsurfaces are in a plane perpendicular to that of the supporting surface.

In a further aspect the invention is a pipe or like retainer or supportcomprising or including:

a first end region, having an upper face, a lower face, and a passagewayextending through the region between the upper and lower faces; and

a second end region having an upper face, a lower face, and a passagewayextending through the region between the upper and lower faces; and

an arcuate linking region which connects the first and second regions;

wherein said support has a closed condition wherein said first andsecond end regions are brought into mutual proximity so that the lowerface of the first end region and the upper face of the second end regionbutt against each other, and an open condition wherein said first andsecond end regions are a distance apart and wherein the lower face ofthe first end region and the upper face of the second end region are notin contact and are at an angle to each other;

and wherein the passageway extending through the first end region andthe passageway extending through the second end region share a commonaxis regardless of whether the support is in the closed or the opencondition.

Preferably at least one of said passageways is threaded or able to bethread engaging.

Preferably said pipe or like support has one or more fixing holes whichextend through either or both of the end regions in a direction parallelto the axis of the pipe or like member to be supported.

Preferably there is at least one of said fixing holes in each endregion.

Preferably at least one end region has two of said fixing holes.

Preferably said pipe or like support has substantially flat front andrear faces which are parallel to each other.

Preferably said pipe or like support is able to be fixed to a supportsurface in an orientation wherein its front and rear surfaces are in aplane parallel to that of the supporting surface and is also able to befixed to a support surface in an orientation wherein its front and rearsurfaces are in a plane perpendicular to that of the supporting surface.

In a further aspect the invention is a pipe or like support able tosurround the pipe's or the like's girth, and able itself to be anchoredby some means, said support being a moulded member defining

a cradle region for said girth; and

a co-acting region a co-acting region for said girth, the co-actingregion being able to be brought to bear on the girth with someconformation or conformation and extension of its as-moulded form; and

at least one or more anchorable zones whereby the interrelationship ofthe cradle region and the co-acting region will be maintained.

Preferably said end regions both have passageways extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe or likemember to be supported.

Preferably one of said passageways defines a channel of divergingcross-section.

Preferably one of said passageways defines a channel of circularcross-section.

Preferably said passageway of circular cross-section is threaded or ableto be thread engaging.

Preferably said pipe or like support has one or more fixing holes whichextend through either or both of the end regions in a direction parallelto the axis of the pipe or like member to be supported.

Preferably there is at least one of said fixing holes in each endregion.

Preferably at least one end region has two of said fixing holes.

Preferably said pipe or like support has substantially flat front andrear faces which are parallel to each other.

Preferably said pipe or like support is able to be fixed to a supportsurface in an orientation wherein its front and rear surfaces are in aplane parallel to that of the supporting surface and is also able to befixed to a support surface in an orientation wherein its front and rearsurfaces are in a plane perpendicular to that of the supporting surface.

In a further aspect the invention is a method of securing a pipe to asupport surface comprising the steps of:

providing a pipe retaining device having two end regions joined by alinking region, said region being of a profile allowing for longitudinalextension in a concertina type fashion and being initially in a relaxedor contracted state;

positioning the pipe to be secured so that it is partially encircled bythe linking region;

bringing the two end regions into mutual proximity so as to cause theextension of the linking region around the outer diameter of the pipe;

applying a fastener such that it is able to simultaneously

retain the proximity of the end regions and thus the extension of thelinking region about the pipe; and

affix the pipe retaining device to the support surface.

In a further aspect the invention is a pipe or like supportsubstantially as herein described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

In a further aspect the invention is the use of a pipe or like supportas described herein in any of its aspect to secure or support a pipe orthe like.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein the term “(s)” following a noun includes, as might beappropriate, the singular or plural forms of that noun.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting atleast in part of”. When interpreting each statement in thisspecification that includes the term “comprising”, features other thanthat or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related termssuch as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the samemanner.

The term “pipe” as used herein includes pipes, conduits, cables, rodsand other substantially cylindrical members.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructionsof which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show some examples of existing pipe clips.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the clip in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 2, showing the clipin its relaxed or open condition.

FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the clip of FIG. 2, showing the clipin its closed condition.

FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of a different embodiment of the clipof FIG. 2, having ribs configured in an alternating triangle shapedconcertina, showing the clip in its closed condition, with a fastener orscrew located into a supporting surface.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the interrelationship of thepassageways and their relationship to fixing holes, also with a fasteneror screw or other affixation generally in-situ.

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the clip of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are cavity drawings showing the core pin clamp, with6C being the Section C-C.

FIG. 7 is a similar view to that of FIG. 4 showing the change inalignment of the end regions when fully closed.

FIG. 8 shows the clip of FIG. 7 affixed to a supporting surface(fastener not shown as it is embedded in supporting surface).

FIG. 9 shows a variety of different ways the clip can be anchored tosupport in order to properly clamp for support a pipe, conduit, cable orthe like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The purpose of the invention is to adequately support a pipe and preventit from moving irrespective of the wall thickness or outside diameter ofa pipe which falls within the diameter range tolerance of the clip. Theclip is suitable for pipes but could also be used in other applications,for example in securing cables or solid rod.

In smaller diameter pipes or cables e.g. those up to 50 mm the cliptolerance would typically need to be 2-3 mm while, with respect tolarger diameter pipes e.g. those over 50 mm, the tolerance wouldtypically need to be up to 5 mm. The range of pipe or cable diametersthat would preferably be covered by the invention would be 2 mm, 4 mm, 6mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 32 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 65 mm,80 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 250 mm and 300 mm.

As shown in FIG. 2 the support as a clip has an longitudinally extensileor linking region 1 which substantially encircles the pipe to besecured, and first and second end regions 2 and 3, which when in theopen position relative to one another (as shown in FIG. 3A) allow thepipe to be positioned within the extensile or linking region, but whenin the closed position relative to one another (as shown in FIG. 3B),have the effect of bringing the extensile or linking region of thesupport as a clip into firm contact around the outer surface of thepipe.

Preferably one of the end regions 2 is larger than the other end region3 and provides a contact surface or cradle 4 around part of the innerdiameter of the clip.

The extensile or linking region 1 is preferably arc shaped. Preferablywhen in an un- or non-deformed or unextended state its curve follows asubstantially circumferential path. However the linking region can beflexible and can be deformed or extended (i.e. is extensile) by movementof the end regions away from and/or toward each other to allow foropening and closing of the support (i.e. clip). In this manner, thesupport is longitudinally extensile

The extensile or linking region 1 may also be flexible and extendable inthe circumferential direction (i.e. is longitudinally extensile), whichenables it to be stretched or extended to fit around pipe types of thesame generic size (e.g. ½ inch and ¾ inch), regardless of the wallthickness of the pipe. In a preferred embodiment the extension isachieved by a series of ribs 5 able to expand in a concertina typefashion in order to increase the inside diameter 6 of the clip. Althoughflexible, the ribs are strong enough to maintain an adequate contactforce against the outside diameter of the pipe to restrict pipemovement.

The ribs may take the form of a series of sinusoidal curves, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, or alternatively may take other forms such as saw-toothor square-tooth. FIG. 3C shows an embodiment where in the ribs 5 are inan alternating triangular-toothed type concertina arrangement.

The contact surfaces 7 of the ribs may be substantially flattened inorder to provide a bearing surface or inner surface of the support (orclip) which bear or butt or mate with the outer surface or perimeter ofthe pipe or member being supported. The non-flexible bearing portion 4on the inside diameter of the clip need not be exactly round, but rathermay have a slightly elongate curve to accommodate differences in theouter diameters of various pipes. Such a non-flexible bearing portion 4can also contribute to the inner surface of the support (or clip) whichcan bear upon or butt or mate with or against the outer surface orperimeter of the pipe or member being supported. Preferably when thesupport (or clip) is in a closed condition, the support is able toprovide substantial support around almost the entire outer circumferenceor perimeter of the pipe by way of contact on these bearing surfaces.

It is preferred that the clip be made of a lightweight and durablematerial which is able to accommodate some degree of flexion. Someexamples of suitable materials are plastics, polypropylene,polyethylene, PVC (poly vinyl chloride), ABS(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), nylon, acetal polymers,polycarbonates, thermoplastics, polyurethanes or a very ductile metale.g. soft temper aluminium. The ability of the extensile region toexpand and contract elastically, in combination with the cross-sectionalthickness used and the choice of a suitable material, results in a pipesupport (or clip) which cannot be over flexed and which will pull backinto more or less its original shape after being opened up or stretched.This means that the clip will not be permanently deformed if it isaccidentally over-stretched while the support is positioned on a pipebeing installed, and that it is also unlikely to tear or break duringthis process. An additional benefit is that the same support (clip) canbe re-used if necessary.

In order to secure the clip in a closed position, the two end regions ofthe clip 2 and 3 must be brought together, and may subsequently beinter-engaged to hold the clip closed around the pipe. There are anumbers of ways that the end regions could be inter-engaged, however apreferable way of achieving this is by way of a common fastener 8 to bepassed through a passageway 9 in the first end region 2 and also througha passageway 10 in the second region 3 as shown in FIG. 4. The endregions may have flat joining faces 11 and 12 which are then brought tobutt against each other as the clip is closed. It may be that thejoining faces 11 and 12 do not completely abut, however they will atleast tend toward abutment as the clip is tightened around the pipe.

The passageway 10 in the end region 3 may be a diverging channel asshown in cross-section in FIG. 4. To create an appropriately shapedchannel the profile of the passageway as it opens to the joining face 12should be circular, whilst the profile at the end of the passagewaywhich opens to the upper face 13 of the end region 3 should besubstantially oval. This enables the fastener 8 to correctly align intothe circular passageway 9 in the end region 2 of the clip while thejoining faces of the clip 11 and 12 are still at a distance to eachother, i.e. the clip is in an open or semi-open position, and retainsthe fastener 8 in place as the clip is closed to its final position. Thealignment of the passageways 9 and 10 in the open position can be seenfrom the top view of the clip shown in FIG. 5.

The embodiment of the clip having a diverging channel, as shown in FIG.4 also has advantages in terms of ease of manufacture because the clipmust be formed in its relaxed, and therefore open, state. The axis ofthe passageway needs to be substantially normal to the plane of thejoining face, however it may also be necessary to create the passagewaysin-mould while the joining faces are at an angle relative to each other.A metal core, or cores, can be used to make the passageways 9 and 10.This core follows the shape of the passageways 9 and 10 as per FIGS. 6A,6B and 6C of the drawings and allows the manufacture of the holes to bealigned where the joining faces are not parallel to each other.

In some embodiments of the invention the inter-engagement is secured byway of a thread engaging fastener 14 as shown in FIG. 7.

In one preferment said fastener is a self-tapping style screw. Thepassageway 9 in the end region 2 of the clip is a round hole or aperturewith an interference fit, i.e. it is able to be “tapped” by the screw,while the passageway in the top half of the clip 10 is anon-interference or sliding fit.

However, as well as securing the clip in the closed position, thefastener can simultaneously serve to affix the clip to a support surface15 as shown in FIG. 8. This will obviously be more successful if thedesign of the clip provides a significant flat base surface 16 on theend region 2. In this situation is not essential that the fastener 17 bethread engaging. For example, a simple nail could be driven through thepassageways 9 and 10, and into the support surface 15 to affix the clip.Providing that the head of the nail is large enough, it will still actupon the top surface 13 of the first region 3 in order to close the cliparound the pipe.

One or more additional fixing holes 18 for fixing to a support surfacemay be provided. Preferably such holes are in an orientation wherebytheir axes are parallel with the axis along which the pipe would bepositioned. A preferable arrangement of three fixing holes is shown inFIG. 8, although it will not always be necessary to employ all three atonce. These fixing holes 18 could also be used a fixing or fasteningpoints for cables or ties.

Preferably the arrangement of the fixing holes will allow the clip to beaffixed in a variety of ways as shown in FIG. 9; namely to suspend thepipe from an edge of the support surface as shown at 19, to stand thepipe off from the support surface as shown at 20, or to support a pipepassing through a bore hole made in the support surface as shown at 21.The ability to provide all of these mounting options makes the clipversatile and easy to install.

It can be seen that a fastener to bring the two end regions 2 and 3 intoproximity with each other may not be necessary depending on how the clipis orientated in respect to the support surface. For example, it may bepossible to use two fixing screws 22 and 23 to simultaneously fix theclip to the support surface and hold the clip closed around the pipe, asshown at 24 and 25.

The support (or clip) may be formed from two materials via, for example,injection moulding, with the linking region being made of a relativelysofter material and the end regions being made of a relatively harder orstiffer material.

It will be appreciated the support of this invention is preferablyformed or moulded as a unitary member. The support can be a single pieceof moulded polymeric material.

The moulding or forming of the support as a unitary member can providevarious advantages. For example, a single part can be held by a user,applied about the pipe or the like to be supported (often can be donesingle handed by the user), the support can be extended or deformed intoits extended longitudinal configuration or arrangement enabling thesupport to surround the pipe or the like. Once the support is encirclingof the pipe of the like, the support's inner surface is substantially incontact or abutting or mating with the pipe or the like's outerperimeter or surface. The user can then apply a fastener or otherfixation to secure the support in position and onto a supportingsurface.

Advantageously, the support of this invention enables for a variety ofdifferent diameter or circumference/perimeter pipes of the like to begripped and supported by the support. The linking region islongitudinally extensile so effectively enable a longer length of thesupport and its inner surface to surround or encircle the pipe of thelike.

Suitable materials include polymers of sufficient strength so as to becapable of adequately supporting and/or retaining a pipe or the like ina desired position once the support is affixed to a support surface.Suitable materials characteristics yet further include those materialsproviding the above strength behaviour, yet capable of enabling thelongitudinal extensile linking region to extend and/or contract asdesired. In this manner, a material having a shape “memory” can beuseful.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred formsthereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from thescope of the invention.

1. A pipe support, said support moulded as a unitary item comprising: alongitudinally extensile linking region extending between at least apair of end regions; wherein the longitudinally extensible linkingregion comprises an inner surface to face a pipe to be supported, theinner surface of the longitudinally extensible region comprising: abearing portion, the bearing portion having a contact surface to bearupon, butt or mate with at least part of the perimeter of the pipe to besupported, and a non-bearing portion, the non-bearing portionsubstantially free of contact with the perimeter of the pipe and linkingadjacent bearing portions of the longitudinally extensible linkingregion.
 2. The support as claimed in claim 1, wherein said end regionscomprise passageways extending therethrough in a direction perpendicularto the axis of the pipe to be supported.
 3. The support as claimed inclaim 2, wherein one of said passageways defines a channel of divergingcross-section.
 4. The support as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of saidpassageways defines a channel of substantially constant cross-section.5. The support as claimed in claim 29, wherein said passageway ofsubstantially circular cross-section is threaded or able to be threadengaging.
 6. The support as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supportcomprises one or more fixing holes which extend through either or bothof said end regions in a direction parallel to the axis of the pipe tobe supported.
 7. The support as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least oneof said fixing holes is in each said end region.
 8. The support asclaimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of said end regions comprisestwo of said fixing holes.
 9. The support as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid support has substantially flat front and rear faces which areparallel to each other.
 10. The support as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid support is able to be fixed to a support surface in an orientationwherein front and rear surfaces of said support are in a plane parallelto a supporting surface, and wherein said support is also able to befixed to said support surface in an orientation wherein front and rearsurfaces of said support are in a plane perpendicular to that of saidsupporting surface.
 11. The support as claimed in claim 1, wherein thelongitudinally extensible linking region is at least one ofconcertinaing and serpentine between said end regions.
 12. (canceled)13. The support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinallyextensible linking region comprises one or more sections or segmentswhich are expandable or extensile, said sections or segments adapted toexpand upon application of a force by a user.
 14. The support as claimedin claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extensible linking region extendssubstantially the entirety of length between the end regions.
 15. Thesupport as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extensiblelinking region comprises one or more sections or segments of lengthbetween the end regions.
 16. The support as claimed in claim 1, whereinone of said end regions comprises a first end region and the other ofsaid end regions comprises a second end region, said first end regioncomprising a threaded or thread engageable passageway, said second endregion comprising a passageway for the insertion of a fastener that isto thread engage in the passageway of the first end region, and whereinsaid longitudinally extensible linking region is a flexible andextensile region linking said first and second end regions, wherein theflexible and extensile region enables said first and second end regionsto be brought into mutual proximity for inter-engagement thus forming anarc shaped inner support surface for support of a pipe, and variation inthe diameter of the arc shaped inner support surface by way of extensionand contraction in the circumferential direction.
 17. The support asclaimed in claim 1, wherein one of said end regions comprises a firstend region and the other of said end regions comprises a second endregion, said first end region comprising an upper face, a lower face,and a passageway that extends between said upper and lower faces, andsaid second end region comprising an upper face, a lower face, and apassageway that extends between the upper and lower faces, and saidlongitudinally extensible linking region is an arcuate linking regionconnecting the first and second regions, wherein said support has aclosed condition wherein said first and second end regions are broughtinto mutual proximity so that the lower face of the first end region andthe upper face of the second end region butt against each other, and anopen condition wherein said first and second end regions are a distanceapart and wherein the lower face of the first end region and the upperface of the second end region are not in contact and are at an angle toeach other, and wherein the passageway extending through the first endregion and the passageway extending through the second end region sharea common passageway for receiving a fastener regardless of whether thesupport is in the closed or the open condition.
 18. The support asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said support has an inner surface whichsurrounds a pipe's girth or outer perimeter or circumference.
 19. Thesupport as claimed in claim 1, once in-situ said support surrounds apipe's girth or outer perimeter or circumference, and is able to beanchored, said support being a moulded member defining: a cradle regionfor said girth or outer perimeter or circumference of the pipe to besupported, and said longitudinally extensible linking region for saidgirth or outer perimeter or circumference, the longitudinally extensiblelinking region being able to be brought to bear on the girth or outerperimeter or circumference with some conformation or conformation andextension of its as-moulded form, and one or more anchorable zoneswhereby the interrelationship of the cradle region and thelongitudinally extensible linking region will be maintained.
 20. Thesupport as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first end region of said firstpair of end regions comprises a threaded or thread engageablepassageway, and a second end region of said pair of end regionscomprises a passageway for the insertion of a fastener that is to threadengage in the passageway of the first end region, and said flexible andextensile region linking the first and second end regions, thelongitudinally extensible linking region enabling the pair of endregions to be brought into mutual proximity for inter-engagement thusforming a substantially circular support surface, and variation in thediameter of the substantially circular support surface by way ofextension and contraction in the circumferential direction.
 21. Thesupport as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first end region of said pairof end regions comprises an upper face, a lower face, and a passagewayextending through the region between said upper and lower faces, and asecond end region of said pair of end regions comprises an upper face, alower face, and a passageway extending through the region between theupper and lower faces, and said longitudinally extensible linking regionconnecting the first and second regions, wherein said support has aclosed condition wherein said first and second end regions are broughtinto mutual proximity so that the lower face of the first end region andthe upper face of the second end region butt against each other, and anopen condition wherein said first and second end regions are a distanceapart and wherein the lower face of the first end region and the upperface of the second end region are not in contact and are at an angle toeach other; and wherein the passageway extending through the first endregion and the passageway extending through the second end regionprovide a common passageway for receiving a fastener regardless ofwhether the support is in the closed or is in an at least partially opencondition.
 22. The support as claimed in claim 1, wherein thelongitudinally extensible linking region comprises a plurality ofbearing portions and non-bearing portions.
 23. The support as claimed inclaim 22, wherein each bearing portion provides for a discrete bearingsurface on the inner surface of the longitudinally extensible linkingregion to butt or mate with the perimeter of the pipe to be supported.24. The support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact surface ofthe bearing portion is a substantially flattened to provide for abearing surface on the inner surface of the longitudinally extensiblelinking region to butt or mate with the perimeter of the pipe to besupported.
 25. The support as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of theone or more sections or segments comprises at least part of said innersurface defining said bearing portions and said non-bearing portions.26. The support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support furthercomprises a non-flexible bearing portion, the non-flexible bearingportion is a cradle being on the inside of the clip to bear upon, buttor mate with at least part of the perimeter of the pipe to be supported.27. The support as claimed in claim 26, wherein each of said end regionscomprise at least a portion of said non-flexible bearing portion suchthat when bought together the end regions define the cradle.
 28. Thesupport as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of said passageways defines achannel of substantially circular cross-section.
 29. The support asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extensible linking regionhas a profile, the profile defined by said inner surface and an outersurface of the linking region.
 30. The support as claimed in claim 29,wherein the profile of the longitudinally extensible linking regionprofile allows for longitudinal extension in at least one of aconcertina and serpentine manner.
 31. A method of securing a pipe to asupport surface comprising the steps of: providing a pipe support asclaimed in claim 1, positioning the pipe to be secured so as to bepartially encircled by the longitudinally extensible linking region,bringing said pair of end regions into mutual proximity so as to causethe extension of the linking region around the outer diameter of thepipe, applying a fastener such that said fastener is able tosimultaneously retain the proximity of said end regions and thus theextension of the longitudinally extensible linking region about thepipe, and affix the pipe support device to a support surface.